Local MP hails tour operator’s jobs boost

Amongst the current doom and gloom surrounding the economy, one of the region’s leading MPs has visited the new Jet2holidays.com call centre to view its facilities and herald the creation of more jobs in the area.

Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, Greg Mulholland, met with the tour operator’s managing director, Richard Bodin, to praise the re-location of its facilities from overseas, whilst encouraging other businesses in the region to help create additional employment opportunities.

Having previously been located in Gurgaon, Delhi, the Jet2holidays.com call centre returned to Yorkshire at the end of last year. It has now created 30 new jobs at the company’s headquarters at Leeds Bradford International Airport - with plans for a further ten positions over the next few months.

Greg Mulholland MP, said: “I was delighted to visit Jet2holidays.com's new call centre to meet the team and it is great to see a locally-based company doing so well.

“In the current economic climate it is pleasing to see the creation of new and much needed jobs for local people, all operating from this superb new facility. It is important that other businesses based in the region are encouraged to use local resources and ensure there is a healthier outlook for our jobs market."

Jet2holidays.com’s new call centre aims to provide seamless customer service from well trained, qualified staff, who can give first-hand experience of its products. As part of the recruitment process the company places an emphasis on employing either travel agents, former travel reps or other people with experience in travel and tourism.

Richard Bodin, Managing Director at Jet2holidays.com, said: “On behalf of the business I was pleased to welcome Greg and show him the facilities we have created here at the airport.

“We had been operating an overseas call centre for more than a year, but our customers demonstrated a desire for an enhanced service to book a holiday with local people who have first-hand experience of our destinations.

“In addition, despite us being an online business, many customers still want the option of friendly reassurance and expert advice on the end of the phone, specifically when booking a holiday.

“Therefore, we felt that by bringing our call centre operation back home, we could deliver what our customers want by employing only the best qualified staff – importantly from the local vicinity.”

The company, which offers ATOL-protected package holidays from six UK airports, to more than 20 destinations, has a variety of accommodation available, from self catering to all inclusive packages, with deals starting from just £99 per person. Outstanding deals include new summer ’09 destinations like Turkey and Croatia from £199 per person – all of which can be booked with a deposit of just £50 per person.

For more information and bookings log on to jet2holidays.com.